Deathmatch: Julian Edelman v. Alex Mack

[Deus Irae]

Looks like an improvement, although I still can't seem to get over the lack of receiving options myself, although I'm going to have to learn quickly. Just to clarify, I'm not normally one of the whiners who see the WR position as anything to be concerned about, but this season changed that for me.

A draft choice at TE who can actually catch the ball and contribute in more areas than blocking would go a long way, and we'd have the looks of a much better line.

I don't like that WR lineup, either. If the Patriots took this approach, I'd hope for more than that "bargain basement" WR, but it's BB.

I've mentioned Danario Alexander as the "big upside, big problems, probably really inexpensive" guy, and Jerricho Cotchery as the "steady vet" guy.

Also, Andrew Hawkins is another guy I'd look at, as a possible Amendola/Edelman slot replacement, and he might even be cheaper, since he's coming off of an injury-wasted season (glass man for glass man).

 

[PatsChamp88]

Mack instantly helps both guard positions and improves offensive line as a whole, when I saw his contract was up I thought about him too.

The question being will he price himself out of what New England would be willing to spend?

I don't doubt he wants out of Cleveland with the coaching circus and now seemingly unstable front office.

 

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Deus, while we're having an agreement fest, I've been meaning to point out how much I love your Jerricho Cotchery idea. If he doesn't re-sign with the Steelers to run 15 second routes while the rapist runs around breaking tackles in the pocket, I'd be ecstatic to see him sign with the NEP. Cotchery just strikes me as the kind of solid veteran who would flourish with Brady, sort of like an older, souped up version of Gaffney.

 

[mgteich]

I expect us to extend Connolly, or at worst keep him. He is worth $3M as our backup center and guard who has experience starting at both positions. I do see him going if Wendell stays.

Maybe Cannon should be moved to RG in a show-me as a test in his contract year. Personally, I think that we need him as a backup RT and RG, his role in each of his years. In any case, these things can be worked out in camp.

I'd be interested in hearing other opinions, but I'm not as convinced as many that Dan Connolly is definitely going to be staying and is the answer either. We'll have to see if they can reach agreement on an extension to get that cap hit lessened, but after being the weak link on the OL in 2012, I felt that Connelly had a very sub-par 2013 in his next year too.

Personally, I think Cannon moves to RG, and our center comes via the draft or even outside lower level FA pickup that we're not envisioning. I'm not convinced that either one of Wendell/Connolly is 100% safe, even though the odds are probably good that we'll keep one or the other.

 

[mayoclinic]

I expect us to extend Connolly, or at worst keep him. He is worth $3M as our backup center and guard who has experience starting at both positions.

$3M doesn't buy much in your world, does it? I would hope we could get a solid backup G/C for a heck of a lot less.

 

[varjao]

About the possibility of cutting Mankins in 2015, at 33 I think he can still be very productive. Being relatively healthy all his career and with the advanced sports medicine nowadays, major injuries apart, I think we can trust players to advance a little bit in their careers comparing to other times.

Being born in a country where soccer is the #1 sport, I remember 15/20 years ago a 32 years old player was basically done, dropping from starter to reserve, playing only part of the 2nd half, no more being selected for the national team. Nowadays guys still get big contracts at 33/34 and go forward playing in a high level until their late thirties. Of course are different sports, different conditioning programs, but I think that this mentality of a 30 year old guy being old for NFL will be revisited in a few years.

Getting back to the thread's question, Alex Mack, but I think we can keep Edelman with less money than people are speculating.

 

[50-yard-line]

This isn't close. Mack.

Love Edelman but he overlaps with Amendola too much (and DA isn't going anywhere in 2014).

You build a hockey team from the goalie out. You build a football team from the trenches out. Brady needs more time back there.

On a side note, anyone know anything about Braxston Cave? I heard a few things about him which seemed positive a long time ago, but since he's on the PS and was never swept away...

Is he a JAG or does he have a high ceiling, or what?

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Mack is my pick for the Texas Chainsaw Death Match. Then again there's few FA's if any that I want more than him. Ever since around 2009 when Koppen/Neal began declining I've been wanting us to either spend a high draft pick or an impact FA signing on interior OL where we've gotten buried in the playoffs year after year. Waters was great but obviously not the long term solution. I want this offseason's focus to be both lines, namely interior OL/DE/DT (depending on Wilfork and Kelly's status).

 

[Don_the_patfan]

I have to say Mack. You put a guy with talent like him next to Mankins and Solder and that left side of the line will dominate. More time to throw, better runs, etc. A line of Solder-Mankins-Mack-Cannon-Vollmer very much appeals to me.

If that were to happen I would be in the market for a vertical WR. We need to stretch the field period. A Dobson/Nicks on the outside with Gronk/Amendola on the inside, with Ridley/Vereen and hopefully Blount. You then have the ability to attack every level on that football field.

 

[varjao]

Solder - Mankins - Mack - TBD - Vollmer

:rocker::rocker::rocker:

 

[Big-T]

Cut Wilfork, Sopoaga & Gregory; sign both and have money left over?

Mack is a top 3 C in the league and will instantly make the entire line better and Edelman is not only a top punt returner but showed he can be a reliable receiver.

With the cuts: Sopoaga isn't going to be missed, Harmon filled in for Gregory and didn't do much wrong and Vince....well his age/injury make his cap number too much to keep with other holes in the team to be filled.

If it has to be just 1....Edelman, as much as I'd love Mack to be a Patriot a C can be drafted but someone who will be a reliable receiver day 1? That's harder to find.

 

[Froob]

Mack easily. You'd be cray to pick Edelman. Love minitron but, an all-pro center is harder to get than a wide out like him.

 

[ivanvamp]

You can have one, but you can't have the other. Who do you choose? Please explain why in a post.

Great question, Deus. The correct answer is Mack. I am a big Edelman fan and want him to remain a Patriot. But one of the biggest problems the Patriots have faced in the playoffs in recent years is a weakness in the middle of their O-line. It doesn't really surface during the season, but every playoff game they've lost since 2004 they've gotten abused in the middle. It has to stop. Imagine having an absolute rock in the middle of the line…it would open up everything for this team.

They can figure out the WR part.

 

[ivanvamp]

I expect us to extend Connolly, or at worst keep him. He is worth $3M as our backup center and guard who has experience starting at both positions. I do see him going if Wendell stays.

Maybe Cannon should be moved to RG in a show-me as a test in his contract year. Personally, I think that we need him as a backup RT and RG, his role in each of his years. In any case, these things can be worked out in camp.

An offensive line of:

LT - Solder
LG - Mankins
C - Mack
RG - Cannon
RT - Vollmer

would probably be the best offensive line in the NFL.

 

[mayoclinic]

I have to say Mack. You put a guy with talent like him next to Mankins and Solder and that left side of the line will dominate. More time to throw, better runs, etc. A line of Solder-Mankins-Mack-Cannon-Vollmer very much appeals to me.

If that were to happen I would be in the market for a vertical WR. We need to stretch the field period. A Dobson/Nicks on the outside with Gronk/Amendola on the inside, with Ridley/Vereen and hopefully Blount. You then have the ability to attack every level on that football field.

Riley Cooper, Jeremy Maclin, or Danario Alexander would all be options. Maclin and Alexander are coming off injuries which should lower their price. Cooper has had 1 good season, had issues with racism charges, and will have to convince people that he's not a product of Chip Kelly's system. All 3 should be more affordable than Edelman, and all 3 would provide more of a vertical and complementary presence to the guys already on the roster.

 

[mayoclinic]

An offensive line of:

LT - Solder
LG - Mankins
C - Mack
RG - Cannon
RT - Vollmer

would probably be the best offensive line in the NFL.

I would also argue that Brady upright and with time to find the open man improves the offense more than having a trusted release valve with Brady under pressure and getting hit.

 

[ivanvamp]

I would also argue that Brady upright and with time to find the open man improves the offense more than having a trusted release valve with Brady under pressure and getting hit.

I agree completely.

 

[Sicilian]

My theme for this offseason is going to be "Build to dominate the line". So I'll take Mack over Edelman (much as I would prefer Talib's money to go towards a DL).

 

[tmajr3]

Could Mankins struggles the last two years be due to subpar Center play by Wendell? I'm not to informed about OLine play, but the AFCCG was evidence I thought. Wendell constantly taking the wrong guy and making Mankins come off and try to help.
With Amendolas contract gotta give him a chance to prove it, IF it means getting Mack

 

[ausbacker]

Could Mankins struggles the last two years be due to subpar Center play by Wendell? I'm not to informed about OLine play, but the AFCCG was evidence I thought. Wendell constantly taking the wrong guy and making Mankins come off and try to help.
With Amendolas contract gotta give him a chance to prove it, IF it means getting Mack

Mankins hasn't struggled. Mankins has been plugging the missed assignments of Ryan Wendell as well as anybody could expect.